FME wants to register construction firms

The Mozambican Federation of Contractors (FME) is leading the move to register construction companies, an initiative aimed at creating a national database that could allow the storage of detailed information on the exact number and location of such firms.This was revealed in Beira by the president of the association, Manuel Pereira, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new social body of the Association of Building Contractors and Public Works of Sofala (AECOPS).

Pereira explained that the idea of creating a national register of construction companies is circumscribed by the need for FME to defend the interests of contractors on the one hand and, on the other hand, to mediate conflicts that may occur between the executioners of works and the Government, the latter being the largest supplier of works in the country.

“The government uses statistical data different from ours, based on companies that ask for permits, which boosts the number of companies. Our activity is very dynamic. There are companies that are created to serve specific projects and not necessarily to develop activities as a public works contractor and civil construction company and disappear soon thereafter, but in the government records these companies still exist,” Pereira said.He noted that since FME is a valid intermediary between the associates and the authorities, it needs to protect the contractors and interact with the government in the search for solutions when there are problems related to construction contracts.

“But for this to happen we need to have the register of existing contractors in the country, because from the register we will know their geographical location. No one is forced to register, but registering is good because companies need protection in case of problems related, for example, with poorly designed works or even a negotiation with the government on payment,” Pereira explained.Sofala’s permanent secretary, Augusta Maita, a representative of the government of the province at the inauguration ceremony of AECOPS’s new governing bodies, said that his executive had been made aware of the need to register contractors.

Maita revealed that due to problems related to the quality of works, the government would probably require that contractors who won public tenders for certain types of public works contracts were members of the Order of Engineers.

“These are clear challenges for the FME, because we all know that united we are stronger, so that this space was opened for all construction companies to improve their performance and power to, compete for the works through the FME,” Maita said. Cooperation of partners must be institutional in order to define the essential tasks, priorities, needs and aspirations of contractors.The FME has scored some significant victories, such as the reform of Decree 54/2005 of 13 December, repealed by Decree 15/2014 of 24 May. The previous legislation gave rise to much corruption as a result of the absence of public tendering giving rise to problems of transparency and consequently low competitiveness.Another important achievement was related to setting a clear definition of works that must be awarded to Mozambicans only, being those with a budget ceiling of five million meticais.